(Original Marsiya by [tbd]; translation by Syeda Raza)

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The moment of departure of the Prince has come

The garden of Ali and Zahra is undone

Every heart mourns, every eye sheds a tear

To Akber he said “Check on Zaynab, my son”

 

“At the news of my departure, did Soghra pass away?

What’s the cause of the wailing I hear today?”

 

Saying this the Prince then rose from his seat

And approached the doorway of his home in grief

Abbas raised the door curtain up high as he passed

Teary-eyed the Prince entered, weary indeed

 

Anguish was evident on every face he glanced

And the ailing Soghra lay, in a fevered trance

 

As the Noble Prince approached Soghra’s bed

Zaynab rose in salutation and respect

At Soghra’s state the Prince shed many tears

“How do you feel my dearest?” teary-eyed he said

 

She replied “You weep in vain for me”

“I am well, do not worry, I am well, you see”

 

Then folding her hands as though in appeal

“Pray take your daughter along” Soghra beseeched

“While the rest of the family leaves with you”

“That I must stay behind is a terrible ordeal”

 

“I ask for no comfort, no preparation I need”

I will walk barefoot, if I must, alongside your steed”

 

“Whether ill or well, I would rather be with you”

If hunger I must suffer, I can do that too

Even though I may not find nutrition or rest

Do not leave me behind, take me with you”

 

“Without you father, Soghra will surely die

Do not deny my plea, hear my cries”

 

The Prince rose, sighing at Soghra’s pleas

“May God be with you” Akber cried in grief

And Soghra replied “I wish it were so”

“But it may be a while before death claims me”

 

“Allow me my brother, one last embrace

A few more moments to weep in your arms today”

 

Thus the Prince’s caravan left his home

To bid farewell he stopped at the Prophet’s tomb

Hugging the tomb, the Noble Prince cried out

“Dear Prophet I leave, today I am gone

 

“I find no peace, whether I stay here or leave

Pray wrap me in your shroud, hide me from this grief”

 

“They have decided that I can no longer be left alive

Banded together, they hunger to take my life

They seek to ruin Medina my Lord

Forcing me from my home in this heat, to die”

 

“I hear the sound of my mother’s sobs

Death draws me into the faraway desert alas”

 

And the Prince heard the Holy Prophet reply

“I weep alongside, heartbroken at your plight

From the moment you began preparations to leave

Your mother and I have had tears in our eyes”

 

“That you leave my tomb, my city, I mourn

Yet destiny compels this journey my son”

 

Hearing this the Prince bid his last farewell

He approached his mother’s grave and knelt

On the tombstone he rested his face and cried

“Of its blooms Medina is now bereft”

 

“Instead of flowers I bring my tears for your tomb

Bidding farewell to you, I will depart soon”

 

Saying this the Prince cried, heavy hearted with gloom

And Fatimah’s grave shuddered at the sound

And the Noble Prince felt his mother’s embrace

And heard his mother say “Oh My dearest son”

 

“Taking Your children, you must go I mourn alas

With Zaynab by Your side, from My tomb You part”

 

Hearing this Zaynab cried “Oh dear Mother I’m here”

What is your wish, your command Fatimah dear

And Zahra replied “Zaynab take care of my son

His enemies are many, few are on his side”

 

“Do your part, protect him as best you can

Send your children to defend him against the evil clan”

 

At these words the air filled with the Prophet’s cries

“Oh Fatimah the world has been cruel to you my child

Your son leaves today to fulfill his vow

For the salvation of humanity, Husayn must die”

 

“Hush my dear daughter, silence your sighs

The heavens shudder at the sound of your mournful cries”

 

 

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